UPDATED: Former PH President Arroyo becomes new House Speaker

Former president of the Philippines and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has become the new Speaker of the House of Representatives. She took her oath today, before the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address.

She replaced Congressperson Pantaleon Alvarez, the representative of the first district of Davao del Norte.

Arroyo was seen speaking to the members of Congress from the rostrum then later took her oath with the microphone turned off.

But members of the House returned to the hall early in the afternoon, with Deputy Speaker Rolando Andya speaking at the plenary, saying that the morning session should not have adjourned that early.

Andaya continued speaking even after his microphone started malfunctioning.

Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles then appeared and looked like he was calling the roll. After several congresspersons stood up, Arroyo proceeded to walk up the podium to take her oath.

She is the first woman to become Speaker of the House.

However, it was Alvarez who welcomed President Duterte when he arrived at the hall to deliver his SONA. He also remained seated at the rostrum as Duterte delivered his speech. His allies are expected to contest Arroyo’s oath-taking.